To facilitate educational and academic exchanges between the two institutions, Dr Phillipe Rivet, Vice Dean for Education – ESC Rennes School of Business, France and Dr R K Mitra, Registrar – Indian Institute of Foreign Trade 

(IIFT) today signed a general agreement at IIFT’s office in Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Dr Satinder Bhatia – Chairperson (International Collaboration & Capacity Development), IIFT, said: “The cooperation MoU is a boon for students from both institutions. Students on the ESC Rennes Master Programme Grande Ecole (PGE) (M1 & M2 levels) can now take courses in English on the MBA programme at IIFT’S New Delhi campus. On a reciprocal basis, IIFT students on the MBA programme to the PGE can do the same at ESC Rennes, France. IIFT students holding a Bachelor’s degree will also have the opportunity to study in one of the international master’s programmes at Rennes.”

ESC Rennes is located in Brittany, barely two hours from Paris by TGV (high-speed train). The School is certified by the European Foundation for Management Development – EPAS label (Grande Ecole Programme), the British Open University and the French Ministry for Further Education. The School has a partnership network with 160 foreign universities in Europe, North and South America and Asia. Unrivalled in Europe, ESC Rennes has 80% English-speaking foreign teachers. Business Managers frequently contribute as guest speakers. Professional internship periods and French lessons that are included in the programme further strengthen students’ skills. The School also has two research centres, the Centre for Responsible Business and the Centre for Technology Management, enhancing teaching standards.


Commenting on the agreement, Dr Phillipe Rivet, Vice Dean for Education – ESC Rennes School of Business, said: “As an elite French Management School, ESC Rennes School of Business offers a Bachelor programme in management and 11 international Masters programmes entirely in English. With one-third foreign students comprising 74 different nationalities, the multicultural ethos at ESC Rennes immensely benefits all students. After graduation, this facilitates their entry into a working world that is global in outlook.”

“Beneficial activities such as exchange of students and faculty members will now be promoted periodically on a mutual basis. Finally, securing an international Masters in English while living in France will no longer be difficult for Indian students,” concluded IIFT’s Dr. Satinder Bhatia.